"Mahdi Shehu Calls for Nnaji to Refund All Salaries and Allowances Earned Under False Pretenses"

Table of Contents

1. Mahdi Shehu's Reaction
2. Details of Nnaji's Resignation
3. Investigation Findings
4. Presidency's Statement
5. Nnaji's Statement

Activist and public commentator, Mahdi Shehu, has responded to the resignation of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, stating that he should reimburse all salaries and allowances he received during his tenure.

In a post shared on X on Tuesday, Shehu referred to Nnaji as a “disgraced minister,” claiming that the former official obtained public funds “through fraud” and should return them.

Shehu further remarked that Nnaji’s resignation should serve as a warning to others in government who are allegedly using forged certificates to hold public office.

“Others who have yet to resign; forgers occupying various government positions should prepare, as their time is limited. Just as Nnaji did not anticipate his departure so soon, they should also expect theirs very soon, whether willingly or unwillingly,” he stated.

Nnaji resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet on Tuesday following investigations that revealed the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) had disavowed the Bachelor of Science degree he claimed to possess.

As per the report, UNN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon U. Ortuanya, confirmed that while Nnaji was admitted to the university in 1981, he did not complete his studies and was never awarded a degree.

The investigation also indicated that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) could not verify the certificate of national service that Nnaji presented.

However, the Presidency, in a statement on Tuesday signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed that the former minister had resigned from the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

According to the statement, Nnaji submitted his resignation in a letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, expressing appreciation for the opportunity to serve the nation.

“He resigned today in a letter thanking the President for allowing him to serve Nigeria,” the statement noted.

The Presidency asserted that Nnaji had been a target of blackmail and political attacks from his adversaries.

In his own statement, Nnaji clarified that his decision to resign was personal, aimed at upholding due process and allowing justice to unfold.

“My decision to step aside is therefore a personal choice, not an admission of guilt, but rather a principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process and to maintain the integrity of the judicial proceedings currently before the court,” he explained.

He expressed confidence that he would ultimately be vindicated.

“In the end, justice will prevail, and history will vindicate the just.”